Alignment assembly and method

ABSTRACT

An alignment assembly and method is provided. The alignment assembly is located adjacent to one end of a structure to be erected, and cooperates with a like assembly located adjacent to an opposite end of the structure for vertically aligning a surface of the structure as it is being erected. The alignment assembly includes a base having first and second spaced-apart legs for being driven into a supporting surface, and a web for interconnecting the first and second legs and maintaining the legs in spaced-apart relation. An upright is removably attached to the web, and extends vertically upwardly between the first and second legs of the base. A guide line is secured to the upright, and extends laterally from the first alignment assembly to the second alignment assembly. The guide line is moveable vertically along the upright to maintain the surface of the structure in vertical alignment as the structure is being erected.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an alignment assembly and method. Theinvention is especially useful by brick masons and others in theconstruction industry when erecting vertically extending structures,such as foundation walls, chimney bases brick walls, brick steps,support piers, and the like. The alignment assembly is mounted near oneend of the structure, and cooperates with a second, identical assemblymounted at an opposite end of the structure to maintain a true verticalsurface as the structure is being erected.

According to one alignment technique of the prior art, several verticalcorner poles are mounted at the corners and along the perimeter of astructure, such as a brick house, generally perpendicular to thesupporting foundation. Guide lines extend between the corner poles toensure that proper vertical leveling is achieved as the bricks are laidto form the corner edges and side walls of the house. The corner pole isheld in a plumb condition by two or more anchoring legs. The legs areremovably attached to the corner pole by complementary nuts and bolts,and generally have spiked ends for being driven into the ground surface.Precise mounting of the legs is critical to ensure proper alignment andlocation of the corner pole. Moreover, the separate anchoring legs andnuts and bolts must be securely stored together with the corner pole forproper assembly and mounting of the device.

According to another alignment technique, 2×4 wood segments are driveninto the ground surface near the corners of the structure to be erected.The wood segments are vertically aligned using a standard leveling tooland a hammer. Generally, no separate anchoring members are used forholding the wood segment plumb. Thus, the segments must be accuratelyplaced, and driven into the ground surface a sufficient distance toprevent slight movements and shifting during use. This techniquegenerally provides an inferior measurement, and is time consuming andlabor intensive.

The present invention overcomes many problems of prior art alignmentdevices by providing an assembly which includes a base for being mountednear one end of the structure to be aligned and an upright, such as a2×4 wood segment. The upright is secured to the base using conventionalC-clamps, and is laterally adjustable relative to the base after thebase has been mounted. Thus, precise placement of the base is notrequired for achieving an accurate alignment. The base includesspaced-apart legs which prevent slight lateral movement or shifting ofthe upright which may cause inaccurate results. Moreover, the inventionmakes unnecessary the use of separate anchoring components which can beeasily lost or misplaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an alignmentassembly which provides accurate results, and includes relatively fewcomponent parts.

It is another object of the invention to provide an alignment assemblywhich is easily and quickly assembled and mounted for use.

It is another object of the invention to provide an alignment assemblyincluding a base that can be securely mounted near a structure to bealigned without first obtaining an exact mounting location.

It is another object of the invention to provide an alignment assemblyincluding an upright which can be vertically aligned and laterallyshifted along a section of the base after the base has been securelymounted to the ground surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide a alignment assemblyincluding a base which is easily driven into the ground surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide an alignment assemblywhich is durable, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method of verticallyaligning a structure to be erected.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in thepreferred embodiments disclosed below by providing an alignment assemblyand method. The alignment assembly is located adjacent to one end of astructure to be erected, and cooperates with a like assembly locatedadjacent to an opposite end of the structure for vertically aligning asurface of the structure as it is being erected. The alignment assemblyincludes a base having first and second spaced-apart legs for beingdriven into a supporting surface, and web means for interconnecting thefirst and second legs and maintaining the legs in spaced-apart relation.An upright is removably attached to the web means, and extendsvertically upwardly between the first and second legs of the base. Aguide line is secured to the upright, and extends laterally from thefirst alignment assembly to the second alignment assembly. The guideline is moveable vertically along the upright to maintain the surface ofthe structure in vertical alignment as the structure is being erected.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the web means ofthe base includes first and second, vertically spaced flat iron webs.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the firstand second legs of the base include respective steel rods.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, thesteel rods have respective spiked end portions for being driven into thesupporting surface.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, anattachment clamp serves to removably attach the upright to the web meansof the base.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a linecarrier serves to releasably hold the guide line adjacent to theupright.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, theupright includes a plurality of markings vertically spaced apart in unitintervals.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, theupright is an elongate wood segment.

An embodiment of the method according to the invention comprises thesteps of locating first and second alignment assemblies adjacent toopposite ends of a structure to be erected. Each alignment assembly hasa base including first and second spaced apart legs, and web means forinterconnecting the first and second legs and maintaining the legs inspaced-apart relation to each other. An upright is then attached to thebase of each alignment assembly, and a guide line extended from theupright of the first alignment assembly to the upright of the secondalignment assembly. The guide line is moved vertically along theuprights to maintain the surface of the structure in vertical alignmentas the structure is being erected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will appear as the inventionproceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the alignment assembly according to onepreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the line carrier for releasably holdingan end of the guide line adjacent to the upright;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the alignmentassemblies used for vertically aligning the outside surfaces of twointersecting brick walls;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the alignment assembliesand brick walls illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the alignment assembliesused for vertically aligning the surfaces of an angled brick foundationwall;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the alignment assembliesused for vertically aligning the brick sides of a bay window;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing the alignment assemblies used forvertically aligning a plurality of interior support piers; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevation showing the alignment assemblies used forvertically aligning the walls of a basement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, an alignment assemblyaccording to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and showngenerally at reference numeral 10. The alignment assembly 10 isespecially useful by brick masons and others in the constructionindustry when erecting vertically extending structures, such asfoundation walls, chimney bases, brick walls, brick steps, supportpiers, and the like. The alignment assembly 10 is mounted near one endof the structure, and cooperates with a second, identical assemblymounted at an opposite end of the structure to maintain a true verticalsurface as the structure is being erected.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the alignment assembly 10 includes a base11, an upright 12 attached to the base 11, a line carrier 14, and aguide line 15. The base 11 includes first and second legs 21 and 22, anda pair vertically spaced flat webs 23 and 24 interconnecting the legs21, 22, and maintaining the legs 21, 22 in space-apart relation to eachother. Each leg 21 and 22 preferably has a spiked end portion 21A and22A for allowing the base 11 to be easily driven into the ground surfaceusing a conventional tool, such as a hammer. According to oneembodiment, the legs 21 and 22 are formed of three-quarter inch diametersteel rods. The webs 23 and 24 are preferably formed of one-quarter inchthick flat iron sections welded to each of the legs 21 and 22.

Once the base 11 is securely mounted to the ground near the structure,the upright 12 is removably attached to the flat webs 23 and 24 of thebase 11 by C-clamps 25, or other suitable means. Before fully tighteningthe clamps 25, a standard leveling tool may be applied to a side 12A ofupright 12 to vertically align the upright 12. Because the upright 12can be pivoted relative to the base 11 and readily moved laterally alongthe length of the webs 23 and 24 after the base 11 has been mounted,exact placement and leveling of the base 11 is not required. The spacedapart legs 21 and 22 of the base 11 serve to maintain the upright 12 ina vertically aligned condition during use. Preferably, the upright 12 isa 2×4 wood segment marked off in unit intervals "M" such as inches orcentimeters.

The guide line 15 extends laterally between the pair of spaced apartalignment assemblies 10, and is tied at its opposite ends to respectiveline carriers 14. Each line carrier 14 is preferably constructed ofwood, and is held adjacent to the upright 12 by tension in the guideline 15 and the effect of friction between the contacting surfaces ofthe line carrier 14 and upright 12. As construction of the structureprogresses, the line carriers 14 are slid upwardly along the uprights 12to maintain the surface of the structure in vertical alignment with theuprights 12.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate alignment assemblies 10 and 10' used forvertically aligning respective outer surfaces of two intersecting brickwalls 26 and 27. Although not shown, identical alignment assemblies arelocated near opposite ends of the brick walls 26 and 27. Thus, a firstpair of alignment assemblies 10 is used to vertically align the wall 26,while an identical second pair of alignment assemblies 10' may besimultaneously used to vertically align the wall 27. Like elements areindicated in prime notation.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate other applications of the alignment assembly 10. Asshown in FIG. 5, several alignment assemblies 10 may be used forvertically aligning the surfaces of an angled brick foundation 31. FIG.6 illustrates the use of several alignment assemblies 10 for verticallyaligning the sides of a bay window 32. FIG. 7 illustrates the use ofalignment assemblies 10 for vertically aligning a plurality of interiorsupport piers 33A, 33B, 33C, and 33D. As shown in FIG. 8, the alignmentassembly 10 may also be used for vertically aligning the walls of abasement 34.

In addition to the above, the alignment assembly 10 may be used forhorizontal leveling. For example, when erecting a brick wall, a pair ofalignment assemblies are mounted near opposite ends of the wall. Theguide line extends in a horizontally level condition from the upright ofthe first assembly to the upright of the second assembly to ensure thatadjacent bricks remain horizontally aligned as the wall is constructed.The markings of the uprights allow for proper vertical movement of thecarriers as the height of the wall increases.

An alignment assembly and method are described above. Various details ofthe invention may be changed without departing from its scope.Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention is provided for the purpose of illustration only and notfor the purpose of limitation-the invention being defined by the claims.

I claim:
 1. An alignment assembly for being located adjacent to one endof a structure to be erected, and cooperating with a like assemblylocated adjacent to an opposite end of the structure for verticallyaligning a surface of the structure as it is being erected, saidalignment assembly comprising:(a) a base consisting of first and secondlaterally spaced-apart legs including respective integrally-formedspiked end portions for being driven downwardly into a supportingsurface a sufficient depth to mount the base in a stable conditionduring use in the absence of separate anchoring components, and webmeans vertically spaced apart from the supporting surface forinterconnecting the first and second legs and maintaining the legs inspaced-apart relation to each other; (b) an upright for being removablyattached to said web means, and extending vertically upwardly betweenthe first and second legs of said base; and (c) a guide line for beingsecured to said upright, and extending laterally from the firstalignment assembly to the second alignment assembly, said guide linebeing moveable vertically along said upright to maintain the surface ofthe structure in vertical alignment as the structure is being erected.2. An alignment assembly according to claim 1, wherein the web means ofsaid base comprises first and second, vertically spaced flat iron webs.3. An alignment assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first andsecond legs of said base comprise respective steel rods.
 4. An alignmentassembly according to claim 3, wherein said steel rods have respectivespiked end portions for being driven into the supporting surface.
 5. Analignment assembly according to claim 1, and including an attachmentclamp for removably attaching said upright to the web means of saidbase.
 6. An alignment assembly according to claim 1, and including aline carrier for releasably holding the guide line adjacent to saidupright.
 7. An alignment assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidupright includes a plurality of markings vertically spaced apart in unitintervals.
 8. An alignment assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidupright comprises an elongate wood segment.
 9. A method of verticallyaligning a surface of a structure to be erected, comprising the stepsof:(a) locating first and second alignment assemblies adjacent toopposite ends of the structure, each alignment assembly having a baseconsisting of first and second laterally spaced apart legs havingrespective integrally-formed spiked end portions for being drivendownwardly into a supporting surface a sufficient depth to mount thebase in a stable condition during use in the absence of separateanchoring components, and web means vertically spaced apart from thesupporting surface interconnecting the first and second legs andmaintaining the legs in spaced-apart relation to each other; (b)attaching an upright to the base of each alignment assembly; (c)extending a guide line from the upright of the first alignment assemblyto the upright of the second alignment assembly; and (d) moving theguide line vertically along said uprights to maintain the surface of thestructure in vertical alignment as the structure is being erected.